Allen Joel Sacks - Obituary

llen Joel Sacks, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, adventurer, pilot, biker, community volunteer and hero, passed away at the age of 91. Born in March 1934, in Chattanooga, TN, to Rose and Samuel Sacks, Allen spent his formative years in Arlington, VA, with his parents and younger sister Bernice. Active in sports and student government in junior high and high school, Allen graduated from Washington-Lee High School and later attended the University of Virginia. It was during his freshman year at UVA that Allen, a member of ROTC, noticed a fire at the ROTC Academic Building and rushed in to help, salvaging military supplies worth over $45,000 (equivalent of over $500,000 today). Shortly after, Allen was recognized for his heroics with a letter of commendation at a military parade review in his honor. Allen's love of aviation and motorcycles was honed when he joined the United States Air Force. He enlisted for service and trained at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas in 1952, as a member of Squadron 3705, Flight 1263. After being stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, Allen worked with NSA breaking code. When not working, Allen enjoyed riding his newly acquired motorcycle. After an honorable discharge from service, Allen arrived home in Virginia and began working at his parents' men's wear store. He soon met the love of his life, Thelma Gellman, at a dance, after being introduced by a mutual friend. They married in 1957, raising three children in Bowie, MD, where they were the proud, original owners of a Levitt & Sons rancher. It was in Bowie that Allen furthered his passion for airplanes, working weekends at Freeway Airport and ultimately obtaining his private and commercial pilot's licenses and flying his cherished Ercoupe two-seater airplane. In his spare time, Allen could be seen riding his motorcycle, often with one of his children sitting behind him. Allen's other activities over the years included skydiving, bowling, and boating. Allen began working full-time for C&P Telephone Company, first as a lineman and ultimately working his way up to Consulting Engineer. He joined the Bowie Fire Department as a volunteer fireman and also joined several civic and aeronautic organizations, including the Lions Club and Civil Air Patrol. He rescued and assisted many people over the course of his lifetime, including saving a young man from a Bowie house fire and another man from a small airplane after a crash landing, being first at the scene of both incidents. He always seemed to be at the right place at the right time and he never hesitated to bravely rush in when needed. After retiring from C&P, Allen and Thelma moved to the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, MD. Allen enjoyed owning and operating an antiques store on Maryland Avenue (Allen's Alley) and also joined the Annapolis Police Department as an auxiliary officer. His favorite police duty was portraying McGruff the Crime Dog for several years. He also worked with Habitat for Humanity helping to build houses and collected eyeglasses for the Lions Club. Additionally, he organized turning an unused parcel of land behind the Eastport Post Office into a viable park for the community. The City of Annapolis offered to name the park after him but he asked that it be named just "Post Office Park," and had a bench dedicated to his late mother set among the flowers he planted there. Allen and Thelma especially enjoyed traveling, often accompanied by one or more of their grandchildren. Favorite travel locations included Greece, Alaska, Israel, Bermuda, and cruising all over the world. Allen also volunteered at the Colonial Players Theater in Annapolis and worked part-time as a bus driver for the City of Bowie Senior Center. Leaving cold weather behind, Allen and Thelma moved to Sarasota, FL, where Allen continued his volunteer career, working at Doctors Hospital and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and as a bus driver for a local senior housing complex. Always a motorcycle enthusiast, Allen joined the Sarasota Harley Davidson Motorcycle club (HOGS), riding his Harley in their annual Teddy Bear Run for Children's Hospital and volunteering every weekend to raise money during their weekly hotdog events. Additionally, he also volunteered as a reading tutor for local elementary schools and was on the Board of Directors of his community Home Owner's Association. Allen was also a proud volunteer at the Sarasota National Cemetery, where he assisted families of Veterans during funeral services. In 2019, Thelma became ill, prompting a 2020 move back to Maryland to be closer to family. Allen moved to Ginger Cove in Annapolis two years after the death of his beloved wife. At Ginger Cove, Allen joined in activities such as acting and singing on stage for the first time in a Ginger Cove production. He also enjoyed dancing and working out in the gym. Additionally, he volunteered at the site's convenience store and helped out at Ginger Cove's rehab center. Through his storied life, Allen, first and foremost, loved his family. He leaves behind his children Deborah (David) Cook, Michael (Susie) Sacks, Karen (Stephen) Gindes; grandchildren Corinne (Allen) Bingham, Sarah (Jon) Bergkamp, Allison (Jason) Roland, Holly Gindes, Robert (Anna) Gindes, Kelsey Sacks, Amy Sacks; six great- grandchildren; and his dear friend Carolyn Osgood. He was predeceased by his wife Thelma and sister Bernice. Allen never met a stranger and loved talking with everyone he came in contact with. He always gave 100% and was a friend to all. He tried to be the best at everything he did...and he was. A celebration of life funeral service for Allen will be held on Wednesday, December 10 at 10 AM at Ginger Cove Friendship Hall, 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401. Burial will be at 3 PM on Wednesday, December 10 at King David Memorial Gardens, 7482 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, VA 22042. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Chesapeake, www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving or to the charity of your choice.